The new device controls light using a phase change material and a graphene heater. Thin
Traditional silicon photonic switchesare adjusted using the thermal effect. When exposed to heat, the optical properties of the switch material change, thereby changing the light path. As a rule, in order to generate heat in such devices, an electric current is passed through a metal or semiconductor. This technology requires a huge amount of energy, the authors note.
Artistic image of the switch.The light is controlled by a phase change material (blue segment) heated by graphene. Image: Zhuoran (Roger) Fang, University of Washington
In their work, scientists used non-volatilephase change material. Such a material transforms upon short-term heating and remains in this state until it receives another thermal impulse, after which it returns to its original state. This eliminates the need to maintain tension to maintain the desired shape.
In addition, the developers usedundoped silicon with a thickness of 220nm for light propagation and introduced a layer of graphene between the silicon and the phase change material to conduct electricity. This design eliminates energy wastage by directing all of the heat generated by graphene to change the material with a phase change.
The results of the study showed that the densityThe switching energy of this setup is only 8.7 AJ/Nm3. This is about 70 times less than that required by common devices that use doped silicon to heat the material.
Compared to what is currentlyused in data centers to control photonic circuits, this technology will significantly reduce the energy needs of data centers, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Arka Majumdar, University of Washington researcher and co-author
Data centers are an integral partmodern reality. They consume huge amounts of energy while transferring data between servers within the center. One way to reduce electricity costs is to use light to transmit information using electrically operated optical switches that control the flow of light.
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